Page 99 of When The Noise Stops

"There's no father listed."

"School enrollment?"

"I put her in a school in Largo. I used my address."

"So you lied to a school."

"I had to. What else could I do."

She kept asking Knox questions that he didn't like until he looked like he was ready to explode. But he kept answering.

Chapter 40

Lila

The house where Maggie lived was in Gulfport, sitting off the water. It was tacky. White paint, columns, a fountain that did not need to be running. Gabby had given us the address. Charlotte had the papers we needed in a leather folder on her lap. Knox sat in the passenger seat with his hands on his knees and did not look at the front door until I said his name.

"You wait in the car."

"I'm going."

"No, you're not. You look like you're about to explode. You go up there, she's gonna say some dumb shit, you're gonna say some dumb shit back. Charlotte charges almost two hundred an hour. You want to waste money having her here to watch y'all argue?"

From the back seat, Charlotte said, "She's not entirely wrong."

Knox glared at both of them.

"Stay."

"I'm not a fucking dog."

"Then stop looking like you're about to bite somebody."

Before he could respond, I opened the door. Ronny and Charlotte followed me out.

Maggie opened the door before the second knock. At least twenty grand of jewelry caught the porch light. She had on a dress that did not belong to the woman who had arrived at Knox's place with a duffel and a child. She saw us, and the color left her mouth.

"You can't be here."

She stepped outside and pulled the door shut behind her as if the hall had ears.

Charlotte did not waste the greeting.

"Ms. Channing, I'm Charlotte Ray. I represent Mr. Mercer regarding Gabby. These documents concern temporary custody and authorization for him to handle her school and medical needs while she's residing with him. Nothing I'm handing you terminates your parental rights. I strongly recommend that you read everything and have independent counsel review it before you sign."

Maggie barely looked at the papers.

Her eyes kept darting toward the windows.

"I can't do this right now."

"Why?" Ronny asked.

"Because I can't."

She looked at the house again.

Oh.